THEY HAD BEEN TRAVELING for about a month now after leaving Lucid when everything turned for the worst. Two days before, their horses had run off in the middle of the night. This left Derian Burns and his companions to make a what would have been only a three day journey on foot. Luckily we didn’t bring more than we could carry, Derian thought with a sigh. However, his two traveling companions seemed to be rolling with the punches, keeping any comments they had to themselves. Then again, they are two of the youngest Elemetrists. They should have more energy than an old man like me. Derian knew this was far from the truth though.
Although he felt older than he truly was, Derian was only in his late thirties; however, in those thirties years he had seen more than most at the Elemenary. His open leather vest showed the silver scars that had accumulated on his torso over his long years in as a soldier. Those years he had spent raising up the ranks and becoming a well known leader. A well known leader now complaining to himself about walking on foot for a few days. An audible sigh followed these thoughts from Derian.
“Do you need to rest, Commander Burns,” his female companion asked stopping along the side of the road. “The sun is low. We could set up camp now and rest before heading onward tomorrow.”
“I’m fine, Artemis,” Derian replied. “And please refer to me as Derian. Or Burns. Even Mr. Burns if you have to be formal. Also if I remember correctly there should be a town only a little ways down the road. We can make it by nightfall and have a nice bed for us to sleep on.” Artemis continued without question or reprimand. Always the soldier.
Artemis Gail was one of the best soldiers that Derian had ever met, especially considering that she was only eighteen years of age. She had mastery of her abilities as an elemetrist far younger than most people awaken. Furthermore she did not flaunt it. Most officials would have loved to be in commanded of so bright a talent. Unfortunately, being a great soldier did not equate to being the most sociable of persons. Artemis tended to speak only in the most formal of terms to him, never dropping her guarded demeanor. In a squad, this would not pose a problem. However this one just containing the three of them, Derian felt that she was not the easiest person to be around, since this mission was not necessarily military in nature.
“An inn sure would be nice,” their male companion replied with a whistle. “Some nice beer. A few nice girls. None as stiff as our little Arty over there.” Artemis’ body stiffened in response to being called a nickname which they all knew she despised.
“Gage, behave.” Derian sighed as he continued walking. The girl was too professional to have actually assaulted Gage, yet Derian was not sure just how much she could take of the incessant teasing that she was given. Sadly, Derian knew his attempts were spoken as if to a wall, unheeded. Where Artemis excelled in self constraint, Gage Latian was crude and uncontrollable. More often than not, people such as Gage would have been thrown from the Elemenary long ago, yet he had proven to excel far beyond even the Councilmen in control of his abilities, making him an asset regardless of how degrading the young man could be. Unfortunately Derian had been stuck with the two extremes, neither of which had gotten along from the beginning of their trip.
“I will go ahead and make preparations at the inn,” Artemis commented. She stood there waiting for permission that came with a nod of Derian’s head. Luckily before Gage could further antagonize, Artemis was gone.
“Isn’t she the go-getter,” Gage smirked. “Well that just leaves the two of us for a bit then, doesn’t it, Commander.”
“Haven’t I already told you to behave once,” Derian answered. Annoyance had found its way into his voice. Gage took the reprimand with mocking obedience, which Derian knew was the best that he could get out of him. No matter the punishments ever laid on Gage, he had never changed, so many officials had decided to just deal with the nuisances as they came up no matter how harsh, which had led him into Derian’s care.
Now that they had a specific destination for the night, energy crept its way into Derian, if only for the last leg of the night. Perhaps this new town would be able to sell them a few horses. The idea of beer that Gage had placed in his mind had struck some chords within Derian. He hadn’t had a decent drink since the beginning of the journey. A few more people would be nice as well. Someone to talk to besides his young compatriots. It was on these thoughts, drifting softly in his head, that they were attacked.
A giant ball of fire sprang forth out of thin air from behind them. The heat licked their backs, as the leapt to the sides, their innate training having saved their lives. Derian’s mind turned from his pleasant thoughts and began to calculate, his short sword alread unsheathed, gleaming in the flame stricken light of the now fiery road. He became the soldier that had made him so famous within Lucid.
“Their shouldn’t be any golems this far in,” Gage shouted, his own twin daggers resting in the palms of his hands. Derian did not have time to think on why or how.
“Circle around, see if it truly is a golem.” Unlike before, Gage followed the command with no resistance, disappearing into the wooded areas besides the trees.
Derian slowly advanced, his eyes darting quickly yet focused on any disturbance. The fireball had set aflame the trees immediately on the sides of road they had been travelling. Flames reached hungrily out to burn his body, while heat coated his body in a cool sweat. The golem had to be close, yet the flames distorted his own senses. Luckily they would not distort Gages. Now where are you.
Derian’s free hand lightly tapped along four small containers that hung on his belt. Each contained a few rounded glass balls that Derian could need at any moment. Each held power as different as the other. Each was precious. Each was a weapon. Derian calcultaed which choice to make, when a rustling sound interrupted. His feet were already moving when the noise began, twisting his body to the side to face his new enemy. The blade in his hand bit at the air, awaiting fresh blood.
“It’s only me, Commander,” Gage said, stopping short of Derian’s sword.
“Next time annouce yourself,” Derian commented. His attention turned back to the direction in which the fireball had originated. Nothing moved except for the wreathing flames.
“It is a golem sir,” Gage continued without prompt. “A Flare, if you couldn’t already tell. I had been keeping watch and there was no sign of it before the fireball. I’m not sure where the hell it could have come from.”
“Calm down and lead me to it. My vision is not as good as yours.” Gage ran forward with precision. Derian followed, finger still ready to grasp at one of his containers. From Gage’s direction, the golem had seemed to back track slightly into the woods. Due to the smoke that had crowded the immediate vicinity of the road, Derian was unable to see the new trail of flames now present to his eyes from the woods. A fresh breath of air also allowed him to clear his mind once more to the task at hand.
“What are you Boosting?” Derian questioned Gage as they ran after the now moving Flare.
“Air,” Gage replied. “I still have a good amount stored up. Almost tempted to Breathe the fire around, but never a good idea.” The last was matter of fact, anxiety evident in his voice. Although Gage was considered one of the best in his field, he had little to no experience in action.
“Good. Keep up.” Derian sped forward, his target now in sight. A renewed sense of youth flooded his veins. Battle was something he knew well, and een though he would never admit it, Derian reveled in it. Instinctually, his fingers wrapped around one of the Vitrium, the sphere glass container stored along his belt. Although it appeared empty, Derian knew the power it held. Every Elemetrist knew this. The Vitrium shook lightly in his hand as he brought it close to his chest. In a swift practiced movement, Derian cracked the glass with the pummel of his sword releasing its contents.
Another splitting roar echoed the simultaneous gust of Air that burst forth from the container. Without slowing down, Derian dragged it into himself. The Air rippled and cascaded around Derian’s body, filling him with the now common store of power within his chest. Tendrils of it curled in perpetual motion around his arms as Derian leapt forward to finally catch up with the Flare. To anyone else’s eyes it would seem that his body was the same as before, no motion different than the movement of charred leaves at his feet. Yet within Derian, a maelstrom of wind was kept at bay only from sheer force of will, something every Elemetrist had to master for fear of the alternative.
“You come in from behind it,” Derian shouted at Gage, aware of the beasts close proximity. “If I can not defeat it, you will have to deal the final blow.” With a quick nod, Gage disappeared once again from his sight. Now it really begins, Derian thought a smile struggling to creep onto his lips. He did not want to enjoy battles because he knew all too well of the destruction they caused. However, Derian could not fight the feral part of himself that took enjoyment in the hunt. The smile finally won out as Derian laid eyes on the golem that had attacked them before.
A Flare was one of the most grotesque looking golems he had ever faced. It stood there as large a small house, the entirety of their mass covered in flames that dripped off the thing like dead skin. Burning flesh became the predominant scent around these creature. It held the deformed shape of a man with horn-like protrusions poking out from the base of its skull. Flames cracked the exterior of the charred skin. Derian almost felt pity for the beast because the pain seemed to emanate from it. Almost.
When it saw Derian, the creature’s charred lips curled into a toothy grin. Derian countered with one of his own, letting the tip of his sword circle the space between them. The moment slipped by setting the tone for the dance about to be performed. Derian kept his feet light on the ground, bracing for the strike. The Flare took a few steps forward with fire trailing the path it left behind. A roar leapt from its lips announcing the start.
Derian responded in kind as he side stepped effortlessly to dodge the first sweep of the monster’s claw. Although the creature was big, it was fast. Luckily Derian’s battle experience knew this. His sword followed in a quick arc at the base of the Flare’s flame-ridden shoulder. A scream of pain echoed the soft sizzle of the now exposed blood. The beast turned with fury, fire leaping out at Derian as he rushed backwards. With a quick sweep of his free hand, the tendrils of Air blew forward, scattering the flames and propelling him farther simultaneously. Fire slowly crept its way back along the parts of the beast’s arm that the push of Air had dispersed.
Derian did not wait for a counterattack before jumping straight into the air, anticipating the fireball the Flare spat out. Throwing more tendrils of Air towards the ground, Derian was pushed higher off the ground. Releasing his throw, Derian fell back towards the Earth. His store of Air within his chest only slightly depleted, he began to fling bursts of wind down at the beast, who was responding with fire of it’s own. As he closed in on the ground, Derian twisted away from a large claw that attempted to swat him and brought his sword to fully sever the Flares wounded arm. Feet slammed into the ground, causing him to take a quick pause that he had believed to have one himself. Derian was mistaken.
The fire that covered the golem’s body swung out from its arm as it turned to grasp at him. Although jumping back would have been an option, Derian could not have done so without being engulfed in the extended flames. Instead, Derian reacted by twisting his body and tapping into the last portion of his store of Air. Derian threw the wind out from one side of his body. This helped dispersed the flames that hungrily jabbed toward him. His body spun in a low turn under the Flare’s claw. Derian’s sword arm was flung at the passing beast’s forearm, the familiar hiss of newly spilled blood erupting from the golem’s charred skin.
The spin of wind completed, Derian found his moment to jump back again out of reach of the Flare’s grasp. An almost human scream of pain leapt from its lips as fire ate at the new wound. Searching within himself, Derian found that he had used up the last of his store of Air to dodge that last attack. Quiet curses drifted from his lips as he brought his sword up once more. He didn’t want to waste anymore of his Vitrii on this one lowly golem. Derian was more angry with himself. If he had just rested a bit more, this would have been all too simple, yet the tiredness ached at the back of his eyelids.
The silent buzz of an loosed arrow broke him from his thoughts. Derian had not noticed anyone in the vicinity, but was almost certain who shot the arrow. It had found its resting place in the Flare’s head, ending the battle.
“Artemis,” Derian sighed. “I thought I told you to find the inn.” Derian turned to find that just a ways behind him stood Artemis, bow drawn. She held no quiver, but then again why would she need to.
“I had seen the smoke rise from the direction I had left you,” Artemis replied, speaking loudly, yet calmly so that Derian could here.”I thought it was strange for you to have risen a fire when a town was in the vicinity, Commander. I apologize for disobeying orders.” It was one of the longest speeches Derian had ever heard from her; nevertheless, he was all too glad that the Flare was now dealt with and they could rest.
“I knew you had it handled,” Gage laughed as he came from behind a tree. “I was getting a little worried there at the end there, but you pulled through.”
“Well wouldn’t want you to help now would I,” Derian said exasperated. The forest remained lit aflame where the Flare now rested. Now that the golem was dead, Fire would burn the corpse that had once been its host. The wildfires that had been lit by the fireballs would also have started to dissipate. I’m really losing my touch, Derian thought. Or you were just having a little too much fun. This last thought slightly disturbed Derian as they turned back to take themselves to the town.
WHEN THEY REACHED the inn, the sun still hung low in the air. To anyone in the little town, Derian felt that he would look like a beggar. Ash from the burning wood had clung to his skin in patches. His singed clothing did little to help this appearance. Artemis and Gage had fortunately been a fair distance enough to avoid much of the flame and ash. I was not so lucky. Hopefully the innkeeper does not hold it against me. Either way, Derian was hoping for a nice quiet meal and bed.
Unfortunately neither were granted when they opened the door to the inn. The inside of the inn seemed to work doubly as a local tavern, and on this day, people were crowded into every corner. The cacophony of voices counterposed by upbeat music crowded their ears. To one side, women in long white and deep green gowns danced in an informal manner with men in similarly colored, loosened suits. Laughter and drink took over the other far side of the inn.
“Looks like we walked into a nice little party,” Gage hollered in cheer. However this brought attention to them, an attention which quieted the noisy hall. Derian realized at this point that not only was he dirt ridden, but they also carried with them weapons and leather armor that distinguished them as Elemetrists. For once, Derian wished Gage would leave his mouth closed. It was too late for that.
Soft whispers riddled with religious doctrine crept its way into the silence. In the eyes of the people, Elemetrists were holy acolytes of the Gods. They were rarely seen in public except on very important festivals. Derian knew that this was an over exaggerated function of his duties, but some took the religious portion of an Elemetrists duties. After all they were the only organized association that existed outside of the national separations and wars that broke out.
“Could we trouble your festivities for a few beds for the night and a warm meal,” Derian said in the friendliest demeanor he could muster. He had come to realize that rather than a beggar he looked like a battle-scarred priest, which would frighten the people. “I’m sorry for my appearance. Our horses fled the other night and we have been forced to travel more by foot then we had prepared.”
“Of course, forgive us, Holy Ones,” the innkeeper, who had been dancing with one of the older women, replied promptly, running behind the bar. “We have not had travelers in many cycles. I am honored to have such distinguished persons here.
“Please, don’t treat us any better than you would anyone else,” Derian asked.
“Speak for yourself,” Gage retorted unprofessionally. “I love being treated special. Some attention from those lovely women wouldn’t be too bad neither.” Derian shot a glare at Gage that immediately quieted him. It was more on reflex than reprimand. If anything, Derian did not anyone to take them all too seriously, especially since that would just lead to more work on his part. Sleep was calling his name however.
“I’m sorry for my companion. Sometimes he can be a little more of a nuisance. Please do not stop on our behalf. It seems like much the joyous occasion.” Some of the younger women blushed with repressed giggles at Gage’s comment, which helped to break the stunned stiffness that had seized everyone. Slowly as Derian and the others approached the bar, the reception continued on its way. Only now some of the them had something new to gossip about.
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